Eid data under lock and key

With Eidul Azha approaching, cattle markets are buzzing as families seek to participate in qurbani within their means. While individual qurbani remains the preferred choice, rising costs are pushing many middle-class households towards collective arrangements. As a result, demand for larger animals has been growing faster than for goats and lambs in recent years. To avoid the logistical hassle while retaining the spirit of giving, many young professionals are increasingly opting for online qurbani services, where meat and hides are donated to charitable causes. Several major meat merchant chains and leading charitable entities are offering a range of tailored packages to tap this demand and appeal to diverse segments of consumers. A sharp rise in transportation costs this year has curtailed the long-distance movement of animals and traders. Large cattle markets are reporting increased inflows from nearby rural areas instead. In Karachi, traders note an overall improvement in cattle supply compared to 2025, but a decline in the share of animals arriving from Punjab. “Transport costs have surged to prohibitive levels. With falling purchasing power, moving animals over long distances is not viable. Farmers anticipate weaker returns and know that higher prices will shrink the pool of buyers. To manage costs and protect margins, they are focusing on nearby markets,” explained Irshad Ahmed Qureshi, a meat merchant. ‘Given the size of Pakistan’s informal sector, the economy is likely far bigger than what official figures suggest and so is the Eid-related activity’ Market sources estimate cattle prices have risen by about 15 to 20 per cent this year compared to last. However, seasoned observers expect prices to soften sharply on the second and third day of Eid, as dealers rush to liquidate unsold stocks rather than incur the additional cost of transporting animals back or bearing the expense of maintaining them for another year. “Large breeders and established cattle farm o